A proposed constitutional amendment aims to repeal South Dakota’s single-subject rule, which limits proposed constitutional amendments to addressing only one question.
Attorney General Marty Jackley released a draft ballot explanation of the proposed amendment Tuesday, advancing the proposal in the legal process.
The single-subject rule was brought about by Amendment Z, which was approved by voters in 2018. Supporters of the amendment argued that the single-subject rule gives ballot measures clarity and keeps issues separate.
In 2021, the rule was the basis for the state’s Supreme Court ruling to strike down a voter-approved amendment to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana.
State law requires the attorney general to draft a ballot explanation for all initiated constitutional amendments. South Dakotans have until June 16 to submit comments about Jackley’s current draft. Information on filing comments is available on the attorney general’s website.
The final ballot explanation is due to the Secretary of State on June 26.
The draft amendment requires 35,017 petition signatures to make it onto the 2024 general election ballot.
